Adjustable hanger for mounting on a post

ABSTRACT

A hanger according to this invention includes a frame having a base portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes an extending member having at least one surface or opening adapted to support a hanging item such as a planter. The base portion includes left and right members, a first transverse member connecting the left and right members, and a second, removable transverse member extending between the left and right members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of provisional patentapplication No. 60/342,000, filed on Dec. 18, 2002. The priority of theprior application is expressly claimed and its disclosure is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to hangars, and in particular to hangarsthat can be adjustably mounted on fence posts, railing posts and thelike.

[0003] The appearance of many buildings and other structures is greatlyenhanced by the placement of plants, flowers, and other ornamental itemson or around the structure. Plants and flowers are often hung frombuildings, fences, rails or other portions of a building by the use ofwire, nails, and other types of hangers. Often it is necessary to put apermanent hanger in place, or use a nail or screw in the surface of thebuilding to do so. This can mar the surface, and is not particularlyattractive. If one wishes to move the plant or flower, an unsightly holeis often left behind. Each of these problems is exaggerated if the plantis to be hung from a metal, plastic, or other nonwood surface. Nails andscrews are difficult to insert, and often leave larger, more unsightlyholes when removed. They are not adjustable.

[0004] One specific place where plants and flowers can be hung is onporch posts and the like. Each of the problems discussed above appliesto posts, along with the fact that posts are often finished with paintor stain, and any imperfections or damage to the surface is highlyvisible and objectionable.

[0005] A need therefore remains for a hanger that can be used to hangplants, flowers or other ornamentation from posts in a variety ofshapes, which is adjustable, and preferably which can be removed withoutleaving a hole or other damage on the surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention overcomes the problems with known hangers byproviding a hanger that can be used to hang plants, flowers and otherornamentation from a post, and which is adjustable, and which does notrequire nails or screws to be driven into the post. It can be used witha post made of any material, and when removed does not leave any hole orother scar on the surface.

[0007] A hanger according to this invention includes a frame having abase portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes anextending member having at least one surface or opening adapted tosupport a hanging item such as a planter. The base portion includes leftand right members, a first transverse member connecting the left andright members, and a second, removable transverse member extendingbetween the left and right members.

[0008] The first and second transverse members spaced apart apredetermined distance and define an opening sized to receive a post orother elongate member. The first and second transverse members arepositioned to bear on the post to support the hanger. In preferredembodiments, the first and second transverse members are verticallyoffset, and together form a cantilever arrangement whereby the weight ofthe planter is translated into a compressive force exerted on the postby the first and second transverse members. The extending member can becurved or straight, and can include an ornamental feature or markings.

[0009] These and other features of the invention will be described ingreater detail by reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanger according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing the removable pinremoved from the hanger.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment which differs inthat one transverse pin is molded into the body during manufacture.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an ornamentation that can bemounted on the hanger.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of the invention showing onepreferred orientation of the transverse members and the point whichsupports the planter or other object.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of the invention showing a secondpreferred orientation of the transverse members and the point whichsupports the planter or other object.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the invention showing a thirdpreferred orientation of the transverse members and the point whichsupports the planter or other object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the hangar of the presentinvention is shown generally at 10. Hangar 10 includes a pair ofspaced-apart parallel frame members 12 and 14. In the embodiment shownframe members 12 and 14 are curved, but the invention is not limited toany specific shape for the side members. Side members 12 and 14 areconnected by a first pin 16 that is permanently mounted in correspondingholes in the side members. Each side member also includes a second holein which a removable pin 20 is inserted and secured with a nut 22. Thepin 20 can also be simply a straight pin with a cap on each end toretain the pin in place in the holes.

[0018] Referring again to FIG. 1, the hangar is mounted by being placedon a post 15, in this case a 4″×4″ post. The hanger is held in place bythe cantilever force applied to the post though pins 16 and 20.Applicant has found that for mounting on a 4″×4″ post, pins 16 and 22are ideally positioned at an angle of about 22 degrees from horizontal,although the invention is not limited to any particular angle (FIG. 5).Alternative embodiments incorporate other angles. In the case of a 2″ by2″ railing post, the optimal angle between the pins engaging the picketis 25 degrees (FIG. 6), and in the case of a privacy fence constructedof ″×6″ boards, 40 degrees is the optimal angle (FIG. 7). In each ofFIGS. 5-7, pins 16 and 20 are shown, and reference number 28 refers tothe point on the extended portion of the hanger which supports theplanter.

[0019] In each case the hangar can be readily adjusted up and down byraising the end away from the post to release the pressure on the pinsand sliding the hangar up or down to the desired position.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the hangar is made from a polymericmaterial such as polyethylene, although any suitable wood or metalmaterial would also suffice. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, thehangar 24 is molded of polymeric material in a single piece. In thatembodiment, one transverse pin 23 is molded into the body duringmanufacture, and a single removable pin 22 is inserted in the yokeportion of the hangar as described above.

[0021] In other embodiments, a decorative member can be mounted on thehanger to enhance its appearance. Referring to FIG. 4, one suchwing-like decoration is shown at 25.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can bemodified in numerous details without departing from the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cantilever hanger for use in hanging plants andother items from posts, the hanger comprising: a frame having a baseportion and a distal portion, the distal portion including an extendingmember having at least one surface adapted to support a hanging item;the base portion including left and right members, a first transversemember connecting the left and right members, and a second, removeabletransverse member extending between the left and right members; and, thefirst and second transverse members spaced apart a predetermineddistance and defining an opening sized to receive a supporting member,the first and second transverse members positioned to bear on thesupporting member to support the hanger on the supporting member.
 2. Ahanger according to claim 1 further comprising the first and secondtransverse members positioned to bear on opposed surfaces of thesupporting member.
 3. A hanger according to claim 1 further comprisingthe first and second transverse members vertically offset relative toone another.
 4. A hanger according to claim 3 further comprising thefirst and second transverse members vertically offset a distance thatdefines an angle of between about 20 and 25 degrees between thetransverse members and a horizontal plane.
 5. A hanger according toclaim 1 further comprising the distal portion having first and secondsidewalls connected by a top wall.
 6. A hanger according to claim 5wherein the top wall includes surfaces defining at least one opening forreceiving a hanging item.
 7. A hanger according to claim 5 wherein thetop wall includes surfaces defining multiple opening for receiving atleast one hanging item.
 8. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein thesecond transverse member is selected from the group consisting of a pin,a bolt, and a pivoting member.
 9. A hanger according to claim 1 whereinthe distal portion is arched.
 10. A hanger according to claim 1 whereinthe distal portion further comprises a decorative member mounted to thedistal portion.
 11. A hanger according to claim 1 that is formed from amaterial selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, andceramic.
 12. A hanger according to claim 1 wherein the supporting memberis a post.
 13. A hanger according to claim 12 wherein the post has ashape selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, roundedor polygonal.